GROUP D: Can Serbia follow up their brilliant qualification form?

Serbia were the surprise packet of UEFA qualifying, winning seven of their ten games and scoring 22 goals along the way.

Serbia were the surprise packet of UEFA qualifying, winning seven of their ten games and scoring 22 goals along the way.

They have star quality on every line led by Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic and Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic and a manager (Radomir Antic) who has a wealth of experience in the top leagues in the world.

But recently, the Serbians have dropped their guard and put in some below-par performances highlighted by a loss to New Zealand and a scoreless draw with Poland.

It is one of three things: Either a flat spot in their preparation, a sign that their qualifying form was above them or they could be playing it smart and just flying in under the radar.

It’s hard to tell just exactly what the answer is but I’m certain they will not put up performances like those two when the real stuff starts and believe they can make it to the Round of 16.

They face tough opponents in Group D but if their forwards, Nikola Zigic and Marko Pantelic, can stand up then they could cause a few upsets as you know the defence and midfield will be on top of their respective games.

A potential second-round clash with England is on the cards but that might be as far as it goes.